Abel Lafleur
Encyclopedia
Abel Lafleur was a French sculptor who designed and made the FIFA World Cup
trophy, first simply called 'Coupe du Monde', later renamed the Jules Rimet Trophy. The trophy was 35 cm in height, weighed 3.8 kg and was made of gold-plated sterling silver, with a blue base of semi-precious stone (lapis lazuli). On the four sides of the base there were four gold plates, onto which would be written the names of the winners of the trophy.
The sculpture, though based on the incomplete Nike of Samothrace ('The Goddess of Victory') which remains on display at the Louvre
, was designed to include the shallow, octagonal cup supported by upraised arms and a garland surrounding the model's head. Lafleur knowingly dispensed with the faithful, dynamic design (as used by Rolls-Royce
to adorn their vehicles) but decided on a static representation that would assist in how the trophy was held.
Lafleur was born in Rodez, in South-West France in the midi-Pyrenees region. He attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
in Paris and was heavily influenced as a pupil by the French medallist Jules-Clémente Chaplain (1839–1909), and Francois-Joseph-Hubert Ponscarmé (1827–1903) and worked alongside Alexandre Charpentier
(1856–1909) who had been an assistant to Ponscarmé. Lafleur specialised in the naked female form, as a subject for medallic sculpture, and the Femme Assise Lisant is one of an astounding series of realistic works produced just after the turn of the 20th century.
From 1901 Lafleur exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Francais, at the Salon des Independants and at the Salon d'Automne
. Lafleur was awarded a gold medal and on August 8, 1920 he was nominated to the grade of Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur
. Lafleur was a contemporary of Rene Gregoire (1871–1945) and Pierre-Charles Lenoir (1871–1953).
http://www.finemedals.com/artists.htm
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FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
trophy, first simply called 'Coupe du Monde', later renamed the Jules Rimet Trophy. The trophy was 35 cm in height, weighed 3.8 kg and was made of gold-plated sterling silver, with a blue base of semi-precious stone (lapis lazuli). On the four sides of the base there were four gold plates, onto which would be written the names of the winners of the trophy.
The sculpture, though based on the incomplete Nike of Samothrace ('The Goddess of Victory') which remains on display at the Louvre
Louvre
The Musée du Louvre – in English, the Louvre Museum or simply the Louvre – is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement...
, was designed to include the shallow, octagonal cup supported by upraised arms and a garland surrounding the model's head. Lafleur knowingly dispensed with the faithful, dynamic design (as used by Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
to adorn their vehicles) but decided on a static representation that would assist in how the trophy was held.
Lafleur was born in Rodez, in South-West France in the midi-Pyrenees region. He attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
in Paris and was heavily influenced as a pupil by the French medallist Jules-Clémente Chaplain (1839–1909), and Francois-Joseph-Hubert Ponscarmé (1827–1903) and worked alongside Alexandre Charpentier
Alexandre Charpentier
Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier was a French sculptor, medalist, craftsman, and cabinet-maker. From working-class origins and apprenticed to an engraver as a young man, he became a studio assistant to the innovative medallist Joseph-Hubert Ponscarme...
(1856–1909) who had been an assistant to Ponscarmé. Lafleur specialised in the naked female form, as a subject for medallic sculpture, and the Femme Assise Lisant is one of an astounding series of realistic works produced just after the turn of the 20th century.
From 1901 Lafleur exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Francais, at the Salon des Independants and at the Salon d'Automne
Salon d'Automne
In 1903, the first Salon d'Automne was organized by Georges Rouault, André Derain, Henri Matisse, Angele Delasalle and Albert Marquet as a reaction to the conservative policies of the official Paris Salon...
. Lafleur was awarded a gold medal and on August 8, 1920 he was nominated to the grade of Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
. Lafleur was a contemporary of Rene Gregoire (1871–1945) and Pierre-Charles Lenoir (1871–1953).
See also
- Silvio GazzanigaSilvio GazzanigaSilvio Gazzaniga is an Italian sculptor. While working for the Stabilimento Artistico Bertoni company, he created the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Gazzaniga was a graduate of the Brera Academy, as is his daughter, Gabriella, and is a fan of AC Milan.His design was chosen by committee on April 5, 1971...
http://www.finemedals.com/artists.htm
http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Numism/Coins_Plaques.html